Patient chin support and method

Abstract

A chin support holds an anesthetized patient's head in the proper position during surgery so that the unconscious patient's airway is held open. A pylon attaches to and extends up from the side of an operating table. A tether attaches to the top of the pylon and extends around the patient's chin to keep the patient's head tilted during surgery. The pylon is held in place against the operating table by the tension on the tether when the chin support is in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A chin support apparatus for unattended positioning of the head of an anesthetized patient on an operating table, the apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid pylon member structured for releasable and positionally adjustable connection directly to an operating table and to extend substantially fixedly and vertically from the table adjacent a patient's head; and   a flexible tether assembly structured for connection in tension directly between the pylon member and a connection point essentially at the point of the patient's chin and for applying to the chin point a force directed toward the pylon, the tether assembly including adjustable fastener means for defining the connection point.   
     
     
       2. The chin support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tether assembly comprises: a neck strap defined for extending around the patient's neck and for releasable connection to itself at the patient's chin; and   a chin strap defined for releasable fastening between the neck strap at the patient's chin and the pylon.   
     
     
       3. The chin support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the chin strap is adapted to pass from the patient's chin to the pylon along the sides of the patient's head. 
     
     
       4. The chin support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tether assembly comprises hook and pile fabric connectors. 
     
     
       5. The chin support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tether assembly comprises: a strap defined for extending around the patient's neck, for releasable connection upon itself at the patient's chin, for extension along the sides of the patient's head, and for releasable connection to the pylon.   
     
     
       6. The chin support apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tether assembly further comprises hook and pile fabric connectors. 
     
     
       7. The chin support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tether assembly comprises a chin strap defined for engagement around the patient's chin and for substantially direct connection to the pylon, and a chin strap positioner for extending in a loop-like manner around the back of the patient's neck to positioning cooperation with the chin strap. 
     
     
       8. The chin support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection of the pylon to the table includes means operable adjusting the angular position of the pylon relative to the table. 
     
     
       9. A method for positioning the head and neck of an anesthetized patient while the patient is on an operating table comprising the steps of: extending a neck strap having two ends around the patient's neck;   fastening one end of the neck strap upon the other end substantially at the point of the patient's chin;   fastening a chin strap to the neck strap at the point of the patient's chin; and   applying tension to the chin strap in a direction toward a point above the head of the operating table.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: extending the chin strap from substantially the point of the patient's chin along the sides of the patient's head.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9 wherein the tension is applied to the chin strap by fastening the end of that strap to a pylon extending up from the head of the operating table. 
     
     
       12. A method for positioning the head and neck of an anesthetized patient while the patient is on an operating table comprising the steps of: extending a strap having two ends around the patient's neck;   fastening the strap upon itself at the point of the patient's chin,   extending separate portions of the strap along the sides of the patient's head; and   applying tension to said strap portions in a direction toward a point above a head end of the operating table.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 wherein the tension is applied to the ends of the strap by fastening ends of the strap to a pylon extending up from the head end of the operating table. 
     
     
       14. A method for positioning the head and neck of an anesthetized patient on an operating table to maintain an open mouth and tracheal airway, comprising the steps of engaging a strap with substantially the point of the patient's chin, holding the strap against disengagement from the patient's chin, and applying tension to the strap in a direction which causes the patient's chin to be elevated relative to the neck and to the body of the patient.